Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/231

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S. R. V. Rangiah Appa Rao Bahadur.
185

his gratitude to his benefactors, the Kamadana people, gave away the Charmahal estate. Narasimha Appa Rao, the next in succession, managed the state badly and the tax due by him to Government fell into arrears, and as he failed to pay though repeatedly demanded, the authorities were constrained to send a small army to take possession of the estate. He borrowed money from Government officials and met the demand. As he had not paid the money borrowed from them, they brought their claims against him. He first appealed to the Governor-in-Council at Madras, and then to the Court of Directors in London. The latter ordered a strict enquiry to be made. While matters stood thus, Narasimha Appa Rao, assumed an attitude of defiance, and the result was that a small army of the British was sent against him. He made his escape to the Nizam's territory, and when an extradition for his arrest was obtained, he appeared before the Chief in Council and offered to pay his arrears if his rebellion was condoned and his estates were restored. His requests met with a favorable response, but he failed to pay his arrears, and Government were obliged to send a small army to take possession of the estate. In the severe fight that ensued, Narasimha Appa Rao escaped in disguise, and his opponents levelled the ramparts to the ground. The Government issued a proclamation to the effect that they had removed Rajah Narasimha Appa Rao from the Zemindari, and that his elder son Rajah, Venkata Narasimha Appa Rao was recognised Zemindar. The father took refuge in the jungles of Bhadrachalam and caused much annoyance to the Company's officers by burning villages, plundering treasure and killing and mutilating any who resisted. The Company's officers effected a compromise with him in 1785 and permitted